Democrats make history in Southeast Delco

FOLCROFT - For the first time in history, Democrats have seized control of the Southeast Delco School Board.

With one race too close to call, it remains to be seen whether the majority will be 6-3 or 5-4.

“Six Democrats would be fantastic but either way it’s historic,” said Cliff Wilson, chairman of the Southeast Delco Democrats.

Republicans entered the election with a 6-3 majority in Southeast Delco, which is comprised of four municipalities where Democrats hold an edge in voter registration, Collingdale, Darby Township, Folcroft and Sharon Hill

Incumbent Democrat Dorothy Gallagher of Collingdale was the top vote-getter with 2,545 and secured a four-year term along with fellow Democrat Sheree D. Monroe of Darby Township, who received 2,347 votes. Republican Edward McBride, a former board member from Darby Township, notched 2,270 votes to secure a return trip to the board.

The cliffhanger of the evening was between Democrat Cynthia Michelle Mason, with 2,199 votes and board President Donald Young, with 2,194 votes.

“Cynthia Mason has a big advantage but that race could easily change with the absentee ballots,” Wilson said. “I know there are 20 of them in Folcroft alone.”

Wilson said absentee ballots are typically counted the Friday after Election Day.

Rounding out the field were Democrat Annette Enos-Edney of Sharon Hill with 2,066 votes and longtime incumbent Republicans Byron Mundy and Ron Cubbage of Collingdale, who finished with 2,045 and 2,011 votes, respectively.

Cubbage, the vice president of the board, was first elected in 1991.

“All I can say is that I’m not surprised but I am a little disappointed,” said Mundy, who has served on the board for 22 years. “I am also a little worried about the district as it falls into new hands. Hopefully the new board members will strive to protect the taxpayers while providing a quality education to our students.”

Mundy said the Democratic turnout in Sharon Hill turned the election. “If you look at the totals, all the Democrats got 600 or 700 votes and all the Republicans got 200 or 300. I am surprised they came out with such force.”

As happy as he was with the results Wilson predicted it would not have a drastic effect on the way the board functions. “I have never thought of this school board as being particularly partisan,” he said. “I think these particular people view themselves more as school directors than Ds and Rs.”

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About the Author

Tim Logue is a general assignment reporter for the Daily Times. Reach the author at tlogue@delcotimes.com
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